OUR MISSION
The mission of Resolve is to equip and assist Christians and their churches to respond to conflict biblically. We prepare church leaders, adults, and children for peacemaking through educational resources, seminars, and training. We also provide conflict coaching, mediation, and arbitration services to resolve church and ministry disputes, lawsuits, family divisions, and business conflicts.Our History
Resolve was founded in 1998, when the Christian Service for Dispute Resolution Inc. was incorporated. The founders of Resolve included Rev. Ian Brown (the then Executive Secretary of the Baptist Union of Churches in New Zealand), Rev. Brian Winslade (the National Leader of the Baptist Union of Churches in New Zealand) and Clayton Kimpton (formerly a Partner in Gaze Burt and now Chairman of Partners at Kensington Swan).Resolve was established to provide an alternative and biblically faithful means for Christians to resolve disputes without recourse to the traditional legal system.
Since its establishment in 1998, Resolve has sought to provide the Christian community with conflict resolution resources and services that are biblically faithful, legally sound, and easily accessible.
Our Purpose
Disputes between people are a natural and inevitable part of life. Disputes are not, of themselves necessarily bad. It is the result of the dispute, which so often leads to broken relationships, division and bitterness. Properly resolved disputes lead to restoration and growth.We believe that Christians are called to respond to conflict in a way that is remarkably different to the way the world deals with conflict. Conflict provides opportunities to glorify God, serve other people, and grow to be more like Christ.
Scripture makes it clear that Christians should attempt to resolve their disputes without first resorting to litigation in the secular courts. Ideally, disputes between Christians are resolved through dialogue between the parties concerned (Matt.18: 15-17). When a dispute cannot be resolved through direct dialogue, often the assistance of an independent third party, who can bring a more objective viewpoint, will assist the parties to find a solution to the problem and restore their broken relationships.
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6, acknowledges the value of seeking the assistance of a wise believer in settling disputes.
"If any of you has a dispute with one another, dare you take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge the angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even those who are of little account in the Church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? But instead, one believer goes to the law against another - and this in front of unbelievers!"
1 Corinthians 6:1-6
Resolve provides access to skilled and experienced peacemakers that seek to apply their faith in Jesus Christ to the resolution of disputes. Resolve brings people together. Resolve offers conciliators and arbitrators to assist parties with resolving their disputes. Resolve coordinates the conciliators to arrange conciliations on specific issues. We provide a nationwide service endeavouring to connect conciliators and disputing parties in all areas of New Zealand. Although in most instances the parties will be offered a choice of conciliator, there may be areas where selection is not possible without travel costs.
Resolve does not have set venues for hearings. Parties determine the venue between them. It is anticipated that church disputes will have access to church facilities for conciliations. Conciliators will make venues available, where appropriate.
Conciliations are undertaken in accordance with the Guidelines for Christian Conciliation (NZ edition). A copy of the Guidelines is available from Resolve. The Guidelines include a list of frequently asked questions about Christian Conciliation.
HOW WE ARE ORGANISED
The mission of Resolve is carried out through the Board of the Christian Service for Dispute Resolution Inc.The 2007 members of the Board are:
- Stuart Gaze, Retired lawyer, Gaze Burt (Chairman)
- Clayton Kimpton, Chairman of Partners at Kensington Swan
- Kelvyn Fairhall, National Administrator of the Baptist Union (Treasurer)
- Martien Kelderman, CEO, The Fountain Institute
- Glyn Carpenter, National Director, Vision Network
- Esther Johnson, National Administrator Elim Church of New Zealand
- Neil Evans, Associate, Gaze Burt Lawyers, Resolve Part Time CEO
- Sharon Lepper, Resolve Administrator
Resolve works with churches and Christian organizations to provide them with the resources and training they need to equip and assist their people to be peacemakers. These resources include the Young Peacemaker, which works with parents and teachers providing them with resources for equipping children to respond to conflict biblically.
Internationally, Resolve works closely with Peacemaker Ministries and its Institute for Christian Conciliation. Peacemaker Ministries has licensed Resolve to provide its extensive materials and training to churches, Para church organisations, and individuals in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific.
RESOLVE'S FINANCIAL POLICY
- Income
Income is sought by way of regular personal gifts, annual membership subscriptions, Training and Seminar Fees, the sale of materials, Fees for Services, and Grants for community oriented services that are not able to be self supporting.
All income is received by the Administrator, coded and banked. Resolve is a non-profit charitable organisation. Gifts to Resolve are tax deductible. - Expenditure
Expenditure can be authorised by the Board, Chairperson, or Administrator.
Payments are made by the Accounting service provider upon receipt of proper authorisation, with cheques signed by the Treasurer (a Board member). - Accounting & Reports Full accounting services are provided by the Finance Department of the Baptist Union of NZ which supplies reports to the Treasurer for presentation to the Board.
The accounts are audited annually.